Recap: 2026 State Of The Union
NY Post— In a State of the Union speech lasting nearly two hours, President Trump highlighted what he described as major accomplishments by his administration, pointing to progress on immigration and crime, strengthened border security, and foreign policy actions such as the bombing of Iran and the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, as well as efforts to reduce the cost of everyday goods. He proposed that tariffs might eventually take the place of income taxes and announced plans for a “war on fraud” to be spearheaded by Vice President JD Vance. Trump also urged lawmakers to pass the Save America Act, which would tighten voting eligibility requirements, including voter ID rules. Several of his invited guests received standing ovations, notably the U.S. Men’s Olympic hockey team, who brought their gold medals from their recent Winter Olympics victory in Italy, and he said he would award their starting goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Read full story →America’s Most Honest State Is… Definitely Not Florida
StudyFinds— A new study ranks the states where people lie, cheat, and scam the most — and Florida lands near the top thanks to massive fraud and identity-theft numbers. Turns out “Sunshine State” might also mean shady behavior.
Read full story →FWB Looking For Artists To Paint Patriotic Fire Hydrants
City Of Fort Walton Beach— The City of Fort Walton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) announced it is seeking local artists to submit design concepts and bid proposals for a Patriotic Fire Hydrant Painting Project, a public art effort celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday by transforming 25 fire hydrants with patriotic-themed designs. Artists must submit at least five original concepts and, if selected, will be responsible for preparing the hydrants by cleaning and removing rust, chipped paint, and vegetation; supplying all necessary materials and outdoor-appropriate paints and sealants; painting the hydrants using approved designs; applying a weather-resistant protective coating; maintaining a safe and tidy worksite; and providing before-and-after photos with location details to the CRA administrator. Proposals are due by 7 a.m. on March 16, 2026, and may be submitted by email or delivered in person to the CRA office, with questions directed to CRA Administrator Alisa Burleson. Submitted designs will be presented for public input at the CRA Citizen Input Meeting on March 18, 2026, and the top three selections will advance to the CRA Board for final consideration on April 28, 2026, with additional details and the entry form available through the provided project link.
Read full story →Teens Using AI More For School Work
NY Times— Artificial intelligence is increasingly woven into daily school life, and many teenagers believe it is also being used for academic dishonesty. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, nearly six in ten teens say students at their school use AI chatbots to cheat at least somewhat often. However, most students describe their own use as more appropriate, saying they rely on tools like ChatGPT primarily for research support or to better understand material rather than to complete entire assignments. The findings highlight how widespread AI has become among Gen Z, with about two-thirds reporting they have used chatbots, showing how quickly the technology has become part of homework habits. Meanwhile, schools are working to adapt, as educators express concerns about the impact on learning and integrity, and students remain uncertain about the line between legitimate help and cheating.
Read full story →Sun Belt Conference Basketball Tournament Returns To Pensacola Next Week
WEAR TV3— The Visit Pensacola Sun Belt Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will return to Pensacola next week for the sixth consecutive year, taking place March 3 through March 9 at the Pensacola Bay Center. During the seven-day event, men’s and women’s teams from all 14 Sun Belt Conference schools will face off in a total of 26 single-elimination games, with the tournament winners earning automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament. Tickets are available at the Pensacola Bay Center Box Office or online through Ticketmaster, with prices starting at $15 for adults and $5 for children.
Read full story →FL Man Goes After Chinese Restaurant Owner
Fox35— A Florida man is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say he vandalized a Chinese restaurant because he believed, without evidence, that such businesses were planning to release a new COVID strain and claimed he was trying to prevent it. In Orange County, deputies allege that Richard Jarvis entered Pearl’s Chinese Restaurant carrying a shovel and began destroying kitchen equipment, causing thousands of dollars in damage. The incident escalated when he reportedly struck the restaurant’s owner with the shovel, as witnesses saw him swinging the tool inside while several people called 911. He has since been charged with offenses including aggravated battery, assault, and burglary.
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